::: George Christy ::: From the Beverly Hills Courier

Edward Frank Limato likes houses with Ògood bones,Ó and itÕs a natural fit for Ed, a superstar agent now with the William Morris Agency after years with ICM, to join the Los Angeles ConservancyÕs board of directors which includes Diane Keaton and Ben Stiller. Many moons ago, we christened Ed Òthe barefoot host in the Versace shirtÓ during what now seems as far back as the reign of James the Second. He was barefoot when we first attended a birthday soiree for client Richard Gere at EdÕs Mulholland Drive estate, then the parties at his Outpost Drive residence that once belonged to Bela Lugosi, who installed outdoor trickling fountains that helped his pet leopard pee. Onward to a mansionette in Hancock Park for EdÕs legendary Oscar weekend parties, and then to Beverly Hills and his grand residence, a magnificent picture-book world of its own with tennis court and swimming pool that was built during the Ô30s that houses the Marlene Dietrich Theater that Ed added and the Ògold bathroom throneÓ that impressed the ConservancyÕs Don Weggeman. The two-acre estate was the first home in the neighborhood, built in 1937 for Nola Hahn, operator of the celebrity-favored Trocadero nightclub. Succeeding owners were Dick Powell and wife Joan Blondell, followed by oil millionaire and politico Edwin Pauley. Then came Diana Dors and her first husband, the pro boxer Dennis Hamilton, whose housewarming party with Doris Day, Debbie Reynolds, Eddie Fisher, producer Mike Todd, Zsa Zsa Gabor ended in a poolside brawl. The residence became the love nest for Betty Grable and George Raft, who Ed says Òwas crazy about Betty.Ó Owners included the Tafts and the Kurtzmans (cousins to CAAÕs Rick Kurtzman). Ed bought the house in 1995, and continues to add impressive improvements. Will Ed, who represents Denzel Washington, Steve Martin, Mel Gibson, host his Friday night Oscar weekend party in 2008? No word yet. Unquestionably, EdÕs party is the winner. Not a benefit where a check prompts an invitation. Nor a promotional event like Vanity FairÕs, which will be at Tom ColicchioÕs Craft in Century City this February. MortonÕs, where its been held for years, is closing during the Christmas holiday to make room for Nick JonesÕ SoHo club, now that the $30,000 monthly rentÕs been bumped to $80,000. Ed corrals his 400 of the who-and-the-who to wine and dine, schmooze and have the best time, and one invitee chuckles that his friends who arenÕt invited regret that theyÕre called out of town Òto save face.Ó Last weekend, Ed was true to form and barefooted in a casual black velour Armani outfit, when he, Diane and Ben hosted A Night of Hollywood Glamour at the estate to benefit the Los Angeles Conservancy. His mom, Angelina, 98, observed it all (Ed comes by good Italian genes, dad Frank lived into his mid-90s). Cocktails and hors dÕoeuvres were served for several hundred, followed by a dinner catered by Along Came Mary for 90 major contributors, with the evening raising $350,000. Katie Holmes joined her co-star Diane in OvertureÕs comedy, Mad Money, thatÕll be released early next year. Ben came with wife Christine Taylor, and enthused about directing Tropic Thunder, in which he costars with Robert Downey, Jr., Matthew McConaughey, Jack Black. The eveningÕs co-chairs were Linda Bruckheimer, whoÕs restored residences in her native Kentucky, and Lauren King. Linda and husband Jerry Bruckheimer arrived with LindaÕs daughter Alexandra Balahoutis and her beau Mike Merker -- Alex owns the exclusive Strange and Invisible Perfumes shop on Abbot Kinney in Venice (the title comes from ShakespeareÕs Antony and Cleopatra). Diners included Ambassador Rockwell Schnabel with wife Marna, Richard King, Jena and Michael King, Serena and Shawn Levy, Julie and Rick Dees, Lisa Kudrow and Michel Stern, Tom Bezucha who escorted Diane Keaton, Avi Lerner with IsraelÕs Lati Grobman, John Burnham, Diane English, Victoria Pearman, Dan Sullivan, Jon Collin Barclay (back from Berlin, where he played Tom CruiseÕs chauffeur in Valkyrie, about the assassination of Adolf Hitler), Joel Roman, designer Trina Turk with Jonathan Skow, Julia and John Lennon. Linda Dishman, the executive director of the Los Angeles Conservancy, informs that the Conservancy was established in 1978 to save the 1926 Central Library. ÒWhat began as a small group of concerned citizens is now the largest local membership-based preservation group in the country, topping 8,500 households. WeÕve spent 25 years standing in front of wrecking balls, legislators and crowds to make preservation a way of life in Los Angeles. WeÕve experienced the agony of defeat but also the thrill of victory with the 1931 Wiltern Theater and its office tower, the Pellissier Building, which faced demolition in 1979. Developer Wayne Ratkovich saved the day Ð and the building Ð by purchasing the landmark and treating it to an extensive and sensitive renovation. WeÕre proud of winning the battle to preserve the 1876 Cathedral of St. Vibiana É the 1929 Art Deco masterpiece that housed that Ôcathedral of commerceÕ Bullocks Wilshire, now the library for the Southwestern University School of Law É the 1939 Streamline Moderne building of the Wilshire May Company on Miracle Mile thatÕs now part of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art É the worldÕs oldest remaining Ôgolden archesÕ of McDonaldÕs in Downey that opened in 1953 É Welton BeckettÕs 1963 geodesic Cinerama Dome É the 1950 Barry Building that houses DuttonÕs Books in Brentwood É the ongoing restoration of Frank Lloyd WrightÕs 1924 Ennis House. WeÕre now fighting to preserve the Ambassador Hotel and the Sixth Street Viaduct.Ó The ConservancyÕs recruited more than 400 volunteers that assist with major events like the annual Last Remaining Seats programs, with vintage films such as 1953Õs Roman Holiday and 1942Õs Yankee Doodle Dandy screened this year at theaters in downtownÕs Broadway History Theatre district. Sponsors include Steve Bing, the Crean Family and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. On Sunday, December 2nd, the Conservancy presents the 1944 MGM musical, Meet Me in S. Louis, starring Judy Garland, Margaret OÕBrien and Tom Drake at the Palace, 630 S. Broadway, now the oldest remaining Orpheum circuit theater in the U.S. A fine afternoon for families who may opt to dine at CliftonÕs Brookdale Cafeteria (648 S. Broadway), a classic since 1935. Diners receive a 10% discount by showing their film tickets ($10 for adults, $5 for children l2 and under). Also popular are the Walking Tours, which have introduced more than 80,000 residents and visitors to the architectural ethnic of the downtown community. Telephone (213) 623-2489 for further information. Online at www.bhcourier.com.